South Africa’s service delivery in the 4IR era: The need for responsible leadership
Background: It is argued that fourth industrial revolution (4IR) and its technologies need not just ethical leadership but also a more effective kind of leadership known as responsible leadership to be successfully implemented and adopted. Technology has the potential to enhance significantly existi...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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AOSIS
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Africa’s Public Service Delivery & Performance Review |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://apsdpr.org/index.php/apsdpr/article/view/767 |
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| _version_ | 1841536657654808576 |
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| author | Nkosingiphile E. Mkhize Christian Kayembe Xolani Thusi |
| author_facet | Nkosingiphile E. Mkhize Christian Kayembe Xolani Thusi |
| author_sort | Nkosingiphile E. Mkhize |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: It is argued that fourth industrial revolution (4IR) and its technologies need not just ethical leadership but also a more effective kind of leadership known as responsible leadership to be successfully implemented and adopted. Technology has the potential to enhance significantly existing service delivery mechanisms.
Aim: This research examines the 4IR through the perspective of responsible leadership of senior managers in public administration, a cornerstone of public sector ethics at the helm of public institutions.
Setting: This study focusses on the South African public sector in general with a consideration of a few public services.
Methods: A qualitative research approach was used in the study, and the study reviewed the literature on the phenomenon under investigation. The reviewed literature consisted of secondary sources of data such as peer-reviewed articles, information on credible websites, scholarly books, and institutional and technical research reports.
Results: This research suggests that leadership that is not responsible among South African administrative officer-bearers is to blame for the country’s chronic service delivery problems. In addition to influencing the job satisfaction of those directly under the leader’s supervision, responsible leadership reflects the authority the leader holds, can reduce unethical behaviour among the major stakeholders and reflects the leader’s moral compass.
Conclusion: The study concluded that ineffective leadership among South African government officials is to blame for the country’s chronic service delivery problems.
Contribution: This article seeks to contribute to the continuing discussions about the significance of innovation and leadership in the period of the 4IR. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-458f0a468e4a4eea88298689d92152b9 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2310-2195 2310-2152 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | AOSIS |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Africa’s Public Service Delivery & Performance Review |
| spelling | doaj-art-458f0a468e4a4eea88298689d92152b92025-01-14T12:05:45ZengAOSISAfrica’s Public Service Delivery & Performance Review2310-21952310-21522024-12-01121e1e1610.4102/apsdpr.v12i1.767332South Africa’s service delivery in the 4IR era: The need for responsible leadershipNkosingiphile E. Mkhize0Christian Kayembe1Xolani Thusi2Department of Public Administration, Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, University of the Free State, PhuthaditjhabaDepartment of Public Management and Governance, College of Business and Economics, University of Johannesburg, JohannesburgDepartment of Public Management, Faculty of Management and Law, University of Limpopo, PolokwaneBackground: It is argued that fourth industrial revolution (4IR) and its technologies need not just ethical leadership but also a more effective kind of leadership known as responsible leadership to be successfully implemented and adopted. Technology has the potential to enhance significantly existing service delivery mechanisms. Aim: This research examines the 4IR through the perspective of responsible leadership of senior managers in public administration, a cornerstone of public sector ethics at the helm of public institutions. Setting: This study focusses on the South African public sector in general with a consideration of a few public services. Methods: A qualitative research approach was used in the study, and the study reviewed the literature on the phenomenon under investigation. The reviewed literature consisted of secondary sources of data such as peer-reviewed articles, information on credible websites, scholarly books, and institutional and technical research reports. Results: This research suggests that leadership that is not responsible among South African administrative officer-bearers is to blame for the country’s chronic service delivery problems. In addition to influencing the job satisfaction of those directly under the leader’s supervision, responsible leadership reflects the authority the leader holds, can reduce unethical behaviour among the major stakeholders and reflects the leader’s moral compass. Conclusion: The study concluded that ineffective leadership among South African government officials is to blame for the country’s chronic service delivery problems. Contribution: This article seeks to contribute to the continuing discussions about the significance of innovation and leadership in the period of the 4IR.https://apsdpr.org/index.php/apsdpr/article/view/7674irethicsgovernmentleadershiptechnological developmentservice delivery |
| spellingShingle | Nkosingiphile E. Mkhize Christian Kayembe Xolani Thusi South Africa’s service delivery in the 4IR era: The need for responsible leadership Africa’s Public Service Delivery & Performance Review 4ir ethics government leadership technological development service delivery |
| title | South Africa’s service delivery in the 4IR era: The need for responsible leadership |
| title_full | South Africa’s service delivery in the 4IR era: The need for responsible leadership |
| title_fullStr | South Africa’s service delivery in the 4IR era: The need for responsible leadership |
| title_full_unstemmed | South Africa’s service delivery in the 4IR era: The need for responsible leadership |
| title_short | South Africa’s service delivery in the 4IR era: The need for responsible leadership |
| title_sort | south africa s service delivery in the 4ir era the need for responsible leadership |
| topic | 4ir ethics government leadership technological development service delivery |
| url | https://apsdpr.org/index.php/apsdpr/article/view/767 |
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